description Herderite Overview
Herderite is a calcium beryllium phosphate mineral in the apatite group, with the formula CaBe(PO4)(F,OH). It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and commonly appears as colorless, pale-yellow, or greenish-white prismatic crystals; transparent crystals from Minas Gerais, Brazil, have been cut as gems. Herderite forms a compositional series with hydroxylherderite, a related mineral reported from pegmatites in Oxford County, Maine.
help Herderite FAQ
What is herderite made of?
Herderite is a calcium beryllium phosphate in the apatite group. Fluorine-dominant material has the formula CaBe(PO4)F, while the broader herderite series is often written CaBe(PO4)(F,OH). [Handbook of Mineralogy](https://handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/herderite.pdf)
What color is herderite, and where is it found?
Crystals are commonly colorless, pale yellow or greenish white. Transparent collector-quality crystals from Minas Gerais, Brazil, are especially well known.
Is herderite hard enough for jewelry?
Herderite has a Mohs hardness of about 5 to 5.5, compared with 7 for quartz. It can be faceted, but finished stones need more care than harder gems because they can scratch or chip.
Why do some mineral labels say hydroxylherderite?
Herderite and hydroxylherderite form a chemical series in which fluorine and hydroxyl occupy the same site in the crystal structure. The mineral name herderite honors Siegmund August Wolfgang von Herder, who lived from 1776 to 1838.
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